THERE are multiple historic examples why the nation known variously as Afghanistan has been termed “the graveyard of empires”. Now, after 20 years of continuous involvement in the latest failed international intervention in Afghan affairs, Australia has also become...
Ross Eastgate
Opinion: ADF – Ideological grenade tossed into the mix as distraction
AS the inimitable Sir Humphrey Appleby once opined, “Minister, two basic rules of government: Never look into anything you don’t have to. “And never set up an inquiry unless you know in advance what its findings will be.”. It should have been the first caution given...
Opinion: Geographic isolation a key factor in nation’s defence
After several overseas military interventions, Australia post-Afghanistan faces what will likely prove a long period of introspective planning for a potential invasion of its mainland. READ MORE
Opinion: Defence Weakened by Division and Digression
THE extended ADF community has never been so divided against itself as it is right now. The ADF’s current “leadership” — a severely overstated assessment — may have finally met an equally formidable opponent in tyro Defence Minister Peter Dutton. The mere mention of...
Opinion – Immediate action vital to saving veterans’ lives
The ADF does not have a monopoly on suicide in Australia. It is a national scourge that respects neither age, status, profession, rank, race nor social circumstances. No singular interest group has ownership of its causes, its consequences and, possibly more...
Opinion: Anzac Day is on unless there’s more cowardice
BARRING further acts of political cowardice, Australians will commemorate Anzac Day 2021 as they have done for almost 106 years. Almost, because last year’s commemorations were curtailed by an overwhelming government fear of spreading an exotic disease. READ...
Opinion: Defence Force administration suffers from bloating
FORMER British army major turned military historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson postulated in his most famous work, Parkinson’s Law, that “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion”. READ MORE
Opinion: Skilled defence personnel misused by governments
IT has been a watershed year for the ADF but perhaps one best forgotten, or at least parts of it. READ MORE
Opinion – Biggles Pulls it Off
“The RAAF have got into a spot of bother in Afghanistan and have asked us to do some contract flying,” Biggles said. Sometimes it’s as easy as ABC… READ MORE
Opinion: Saying no is always the easy way out and path of least resistance
GOOD morning. Welcome to Russell Offices staff indoctrination training for 2021. The most important word you will learn here today is “no”, which should be the standard response to most submissions. Read More